As we’ve reported here previously, SSJC has been supporting legislation in Annapolis that would prohibit police from stopping or searching a person or a car based solely on the odor of cannabis. This bill is a critical piece of the legalization of cannabis in Maryland and is needed because even though cannabis will be legalContinue reading “TAKE ACTION TO END RACIST ODOR-BASED STOPS AND SEARCHES”
Category Archives: Action Alerts
TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT VULNERABLE PEOPLE FROM POLICE USE OF FORCE
As we shared here last week, SSJC recently released a Report on the Use of Force Against Vulnerable Populations, which calls attention to the Montgomery County Police Department’s failure to comply with county and state laws meant to reduce the use of force by police against certain vulnerable populations. The report shares stories from community members with mental health conditions andContinue reading “TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT VULNERABLE PEOPLE FROM POLICE USE OF FORCE”
Action Alerts of Marijuana Odor and Police Accountability
As we’ve shared previously, SSJC is working hard to support the legislative priorities of the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability during this state legislative session. Two of the bills we are working on have action alerts that need your attention. If you have not done so now, please take a minute to sendContinue reading “Action Alerts of Marijuana Odor and Police Accountability”
Tell County Executive Elrich To End Agreement that Allows FOP To Block Access to Police Misconduct Records
For years communities across Maryland have been demanding access to police misconduct records. In 2021, after years of work by advocates, the General Assembly passed Anton’s Law, which gives members of the public expanded rights to records of police misconduct under the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA). These rights to timely access are essential toContinue reading “Tell County Executive Elrich To End Agreement that Allows FOP To Block Access to Police Misconduct Records”
UPDATE: SEEKING JUSTICE FOR DESEAN SMITH
Thank you to all who came to court to support DeSean last Friday. Between his family, friends, and SSJC members, we filled up two rows in the courtroom. Our presence had an impact for DeSean and his family, who did not have to face the police who slammed him to the pavement alone, and forContinue reading “UPDATE: SEEKING JUSTICE FOR DESEAN SMITH“
UPDATED ACTION ALERT:Tell State’s Attorney John McCarthy to Decriminalize Fare Evasion!
On Friday, September 2nd, DeSean Smith will be back in court seeking justice for his abusive arrest and criminal charges based on the alleged evasion of an under $5 Metro fare. WMATA’s history of violent arrests and racial profiling of young Black riders for acts of alleged fare evasion is well documented. A report fromContinue reading “UPDATED ACTION ALERT:Tell State’s Attorney John McCarthy to Decriminalize Fare Evasion!”
Reject Statewide Regulations of the County Police Discipline Boards
SSJC has been working with the Maryland Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability to oppose restrictive regulations that the Maryland Police Training and Standards Commission has enacted to govern membership and other aspects of the new Police Accountability Boards and Administrative Charging Committees. We are calling on the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, & Legislative Review (AELR), whichContinue reading “Reject Statewide Regulations of the County Police Discipline Boards”
Decriminalize Fare Evasion
On Juneteenth, we also marked Father’s Day with a demonstration outside Silver Spring Metro station alongside Kevin Smith and his son DeSean, a 19-year-old Black Howard University senior who was on his way to work when Metro Transit Police stopped him for an alleged fare evasion and then escalated to slamming him to the ground and bookingContinue reading “Decriminalize Fare Evasion”
Action Alert: Another Chance to Demand Care Not Cops in the FY2023 Budget (Action Completed)
As we’ve reported in previous weeks, SSJC and our partners prepared for and delivered a strong showing in favor of Care Not Cops during this year’s Council hearings on the FY2023 budget. Our Coalition, a number of our individual members, and our partners submitted written and oral testimony. You can read our Coalition’s written testimony here. Continue reading “Action Alert: Another Chance to Demand Care Not Cops in the FY2023 Budget (Action Completed)”
ACTION ALERT: It’s Not too Late to Expand Body-worn Camera Requirements in Maryland (Action Completed)
Kwamena’s Law (HB 429), which would have expanded police use of body-worn cameras, did not pass out of the House in time for crossover. However, we recently learned that expansion of body-worn camera requirements may be still have a chance of passing this session. We now need your help to urge delegates to do what theyContinue reading “ACTION ALERT: It’s Not too Late to Expand Body-worn Camera Requirements in Maryland (Action Completed)”
Silver Spring Justice Coalition 